Volkswagen Passat Electric
The Volkswagen Passat is one of the most famous and timeless car designs out there, having first hit the production lines in 1973, and having recently achieved its 30 million sale.
By sheer sales numbers alone, the Passat is the second most successful Volkswagen coming only after the Golf.
Although the Passat has been remarkably successful and popular with a very broad global customer base, however, the future of the line has been uncertain in recent years, particularly as a result of concerns regarding its sales prospects in certain key global markets.
All this has led to serious speculation over whether or not it would progress beyond the eighth generation model on offer today.
Recently, Volkswagen have swept away the doubt and uncertainty by giving the definitive go-ahead to the ninth generation Passat – a decision which has followed more than a year of serious internal debate.
Reportedly, the decision comes after Volkswagen Group chairman Herbert Diess cast doubt on whether or not the Passat would be replaced.
In debating the future of the Passat, Deiss cited the growing popularity of the similarly sized Arteon, and plans to produce the electric ID Vizzion concept in estate and saloon body styles beginning from 2023 onwards, as potential reasons to not continue beyond the current Passat line, which was initially introduced in 2015.
Nonetheless, the new Passat will be going ahead – and is currently set for a 2023 UK launch.
This new Passat will share its platform, its drivetrains, and intellectual core architecture with the Skoda Superb – and right-hand drive versions will be produced in a new factory, which will be established by Skoda as part of a major expansion of its production capacity.
The move marks something of the end of an era with regards to the fate of the Passat going forward.
Specifically, production of the Passat at Volkswagen’s Emden factory in Germany – where it has been produced for more than 36 years – will be ended, with the plant set to shortly undergo a major reconstruction in order to produce the upcoming electric-powered ID 4 SUV, from 2022 onwards.
One other significant change going forward, is the decision to end Volkswagen’s strategy of offering two versions of the model.
Up until this point, European versions of the Passat have been available based on the MWB platform, whereas the Passat which is sold in the US (and through one sales channel in China) is based on the old PQ46 platform – a platform which dates back to the sixth generation model introduced in 2005.
From 2023 onwards, all Passats will be based on an updated version of the MQB platform, which will support both front and four-wheel-drive. Reportedly, this provides scope not only for an increased number of petrol and diesel hybrids, but also a fully electric drivetrain.
The new Passat model – internally referred to as the B9 – has reportedly already been styled, according to Volkswagen insiders. It has been suggested that the new vehicle will be even more versatile, with a special emphasis being placed on accommodation and enhanced load-carrying abilities.
Contact Sinclair Volkswagen for more information.